Winterizing wastewater operations
Winterizing wastewater operations
Cold weather is about to arrive and winterization of wastewater treatment operations is underway to accommodate the harsh weather. The drop in operating temperature of wastewater systems can have a significant impact on plant operation and effluent quality.
Winter weather brings operational challenges. No doubt. As part of your winterizing strategy, bioaugmentation could be the tool you need to ensure no unpleasant surprises.
Winter is coming
Temperature drops can have adverse effects on treatment performance.
The most apparent effects include icing of equipment, ice formation on water surfaces, particularly on lagoons, freezing pipes, and power outages. But preparing for these physical impacts is not the only area where plant operators need to anticipate the winter weather. The speed and effectiveness of the bacteria is also severely impacted by the colder weather.
A temperature drop impacts wastewater biology
A temperature drop impacts wastewater biology
Like most chemical reactions, temperature drops also impact biological reactions associated with bacterial metabolism and reproduction. Reactions rates typically decrease by a half for each 10 oC (18o F) drop in temperature.
This drop in reaction rate can be translated as a drop in activity. Temperature changes can also alter the microbial ecology of the biomass, selecting psychrophilic and psychrotolerant bacteria as well as altering enzyme pathways. This change over in populations is not insignificant and can take multiple sludge ages (months) to occur.
Regardless of the challenge you seek to overcome, we are here to help.
Meeting discharge ammonia limits can be challenging during the winter months
Meeting discharge ammonia limits can be challenging during the winter months
A municipal wastewater plant struggling to meet ammonia limits during a cold winter, was able to reduce ammonia levels by 17% over a period of just 11 days with BioRemove™ AM
Our best-in-class solutions for winterizing wastewater operations
Want to know more?
Want to know more?
Winter weather brings operational challenges to plant operators but with a sound operational strategy aided by Novozymes’ bioaugmentation solutions, you can overcome even the toughest winter season challenges.
Get in touch to learn more.